engleski

The effects of competition in two temperate gecko species

Complex interspecific interactions may be important structuring agents in biological communities. Competition over spatial niche utilization is one of most common competitive interactions between species in sympatry. We investigated the interspecific interactions between two, ecologically similar, temperate climate, gekkonid species, the Turkish gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus) and the Moorish gecko (Tarentola mauritanica). We compared populations in sympatry and allopatry on two geographically close Adriatic islands, Hvar (both species present) and Vis (only H. turcicus). We also compared populations of H. turcicus on Hvar occurring with T. mauritanica (in syntopy) and without T. mauritanica (in allotopy). We monitored species during their complete diurnal and annual cycle. The relative population density of H. turcicus differs depending on the presence /absence of T. mauritanica, but relative population densities of T. mauritanica are not affected by the presence of H. turcicus. Additionally, the two species showed differences in habitat use in sympatry. Moreover, H. turcicus showed ecological release in allopatry. Differences in densities between allopatric (Vis) and allotopic (Hvar) populations of H. turcicus point to direct competition between H. turcicus and T. mauritanica, but this competition does not occur over spatial niche since this species exhibits evasive strategies for habitat utilisation when found in sympatry. Observed interspecies interaction patterns may contribute to a better understanding of complex relations in natural communities.

Ecological niche; Competition; Tarentola mauritanica; Hemidactylus turcicus

Internetska stranica: http://seh2013.org/ (pristupljeno 7. siječnja 2014.)